Fixed signal system for protecting danger points on railroads



H. E. HODGSON FIXED SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING DANGER POINTS ON RAILROADS Oct. 9 1923.. 1,470,009

Filed Sept. 10. 1921 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Oct. 9 1923.

H.. E. HODGSON FIXED SIGNAL SYSTEM'FOR PROTECTING DANGER POINTS 0N RAILROADS Filed Sept. 10. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E mm N N R E m. w I

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HARRIETTE ENSLEY HODGSON, F NEVV' YORK, N. Y.

Application filed September 10, 1821.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Hannrn'r'rn ENsLEY Honcsos, a citizen of the lnited States, and resident of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Fixed Signal System for Protecting Danger Points on Railroads, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is by very simple means to reduce the present high death toll at dangerous crossings; also in like manner to give engineers notice of the approach to dangerous switches and crossovers. To this end I make use of certain of the cross-ties of the track, applying! thereto signals visible to the engineer, at

successive definite distances from the point to be guarded. Upon reaching these signals the engineer is to give corresponding warnings with his whistle, enabling a motorist or driver approaching the crossing to know the degree of proximity of the train; or in event of the engineer having failed thus to observe the earlier tie signals, he is to reduce speed depending upon his nearness to the crossing. The simplest and most practical form of the signals is obtained by painting upon the surfaces of the selected ties. Differ ent colors may be, and preferably are, e'nim ployed to indicate different stages of approach to the point. The colors may be applied generally to the surface of a tie or group of ties, or it may be applied in spots, stripes or other designs, as may be deemed most suitable. For times when the ties may he covered with snow it is desirable to place a supplementary upright signal beside the track, preferably at the first signal, station.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention:

Fig. l is a schematic view of a stretch of track and a crossing. indicating a suitable arrangement of the tie signals and a stand ing snow signal; and

Fig. 2 is a schematic view indicating a suitable arrangement of the signals in connection with a switch or cross-over.

Referring to Fig. 1, the rails are designated l and the cross-ties 2. At 3 is a road crossing, guarded upon the road by a suitable warning signal 4.

At a distance of, say, three miles from the crossing a group 5 of three ties is seen to be painted red; half a mile nearer the crossing one of the ties bears a red spot 6; at the two mile point another group 7 of the lll Serial No. 499,718.

three ticsis painted white; at the next half' mile is a white spot 8 upon the surface of a tie; one mile from the crossing are three blue ties 9; and at the final half mile a blue spot 10. The colors named are those which are preferred, and the form and arrangement of the signals is regarded as desirable: but it will be understood that the general plan may be worked out in numerous specifically different ways.

Upon approaching the first signal 5 it is proposed that the engineer shall give one long whistle, thereby notifying any one within hearing upon the road 3 that the train is three miles from the crossing. If for any reason the engineer should fail to observe the first signal, the red spot 6 is provided as a supplementary warning. At the group of white ties 7 it is the di'ity of the engineer to whistle twice, signifying to those on the road that the train is two miles away. If he should pass the two-mile limit, as the white spot 8 will remind him, without having observed the signals and whistling, he is to slacken speed. In case of failure to observe both the red and white signals, and coming upon the blue ties. the engineer is required to proceed very slowly, giving an appropriate signal such as three short blasts of the whistle. Naturally, the duties prescribed for the engineer in connection with the tie signals may be varied.

One of the standing signals which serve in case of snow is represented at 11 alongside the first signal station.

In Fig. 2 red and green signals l2. 13 are shown by way of illustration, painted upon the ties at suitable definite distances from a switch crossover lVhat I claim as new is:

1. Means for protecting danger points along railroad rights of way, comprising signals formed by groups of ties in the roadbed of the railway differentiated for observation. by the engineer in the cab of a locomotive at predetermined distances of approach to the danger point.

2. Means for protecting a railroad crossing comprising groups of colored ties in the road-bed of the railroad placed at predetermined progressive distances of approach to the crossing, the different groups being differently colored to inform the engineer of positions at which to sound warnin signals.

HARRIETTE 'ENSLEY HODGSON.

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